COST-EFFECTIVE MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES FOR GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION

There is an increased awareness world-wide of the need for cost-effect ive, functional and sustainable groundwater abstraction. There have be en recent reviews and updating of the technology involved, but less at tention on integrating technical aspects with economic and management options. This is vital when assessing monitoring, operation and mainte nance strategies. A key element in strategy development is the evaluat ion of the cost-effectiveness of the options available. This paper dis cusses the issues involved and describes a spreadsheet-based methodolo gy for evaluating the cost effectiveness of various monitoring and mai ntenance strategies for the management of water supply boreholes. Case studies are presented to illustrate the working of the method and iss ues arising from its use.